Controlling device for automobiles.



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No. 737,393. PATENTBDAUG. 25, 1903.

- o. B. GRoUT. GONTROLLING DEVICE POR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 11, 1903. NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNTTnD STATES Patented August 25, 1903. i

PATENT OFFICE.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

SIECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent N o. 737,399, dated August 25, 1903. Application filed February 11, 1903. Serial No.142,824. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. GROUT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Orange, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Devices, of which'the following is a In steering and controlling mechanisms asl usually constructed heretofore it has been customary to separate the steering and controlling functions and to place the controlling member or handle in snch a position as to render it necessary for the operator to release one hand from the steering member or wheel in order to operate the controller. It has been found in practice that this is undesirable, as it is important that the steering member be held in constant control in order to prevent erratic movements of the vehicle, and it being therefore equally important that the attention of the operator be not divided by several handles or wheels located in different positions, but be concentrated substantially at a single point. To the end that this may be accomplished I prefer to employ a controlling member in the form of a controlling- Wheel associated with the steering member or steering-wheel in such a manner as to perv mit the operator to grasp both wheels with his hands at the saine time and to impart to the controlling-Wheel a relative movement with respect to the steering-wheel without removing his hands from the latter and without disturbing at all the steadiness of the steering. This relative movement may be accomplished in the most advantageous manling devices ner by mounting the controlling-wheel close to the steering-Wheel, so that it will turn about the steering-axis, and hence turn with the steering-wheel to Whatever position the latter may be moved, and by providing for a reciprocatory movement of the controllingwheel longitudinally of the steering axis, which movementis utilized to operate a throttle or other suitable device governing the con- 6o trolling function.

Any suitable means may be employed in connection with the controlling member or Wheel for releasing the same and permitting it to return to its normal position after it has been operated to apply the power, as by opening a throttle, a pedal-operated device being preferably employed for this purpose.

An important feature which distinguishes the preferred construction of releasing de- 7o vice used by me from all others with which I am familiar is the employment ot' a brakeoperating pedal as the means for releasing the controlling member or Wheel and permitting the power to ing of a throttle, before said brake-pedal becomes eiective to apply the brake.

Other features of my invention not hereinbefore referred to, but which Will be hereinafter described, are illustrated in the accom- 8o panying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a steering and controlling device in operative relation with a source of duid-pressure, such as a steam-boiler of an automobile 8 5 Fig. 2is

vehicle which is shown in outline. an enlarged view of the steering and controlwith the controlling-wheel in its on position-that is, with the throttle open. Fig. 3 is a similar view controlling-Wheel in its normal or off position-that is, in position to close the throttle. Fig. a is a perspective view of the lower portion of the controlling mechanism and other associated devices.

larged detail illustrating in longitudinal section the mode of mounting the steering andV controlling means.

In carrying my invention into effect I may make use of any suitable steering and conroo trolling members, provided that these are so positioned and so organized that `both may be shut ed, as by the closshowing the 9o Fig. 5 is an en- 95 be grasped at the same time by the operator and moved in unison.

In order to perform the controlling function, it is of course essential that the controlling member should have a movement relative to that which determines the steering function, and I deem it desirable to perform the steering function in the usual manner by turning a handle or' wheel and to perform the controlling function by reciprocating a controlling member or wheel lengthwise of lthe steering-axis. The steering member is preferablya steering-Wheel, such as 2, removably secured to the upper end of a steering-rod 3, mounted to turn in a fixed steering-post, which may be of any suitable type, but in the construction shown is an obliquely-disposed tubular post 4, such as is ordinarily employed in the tonneau and other similar type of au tomobile. The steering-rod 3 will be connected in the usual manner to theother parts ot' the steering mechanism, which are not shown herein as they constitute no part of the present invention. At its upper end this steering-rod 3 extends a sufficient distance above the steering-post 4 to permit the controlling member, which is preferably a wheel, such as 5, to be mounted thereon and to havea considerable movement on saidsteering-rod lengthwise thereof, the limits of such movement being determined by the upper end of the post 4 and by the hub of the steering-wheel 2. This controlling-wheel 5 has a relatively long hub 6, which permits said wheel to be slid up and down on the steering-rod easily and also provides for the connection therewith of a suitable element for transmitting the movement of the controlling-wheel to the throttle or other device which determines the iiow of the motive luid. It will be noticed that the controlling Wheel 5 is associated with the steering-wheel 2 in such a manner that both wheels may be grasped by the operator and manipulated simultaneously without aifecting the steadiness of the steering operation, the wheel 5 beingpreferably somewhat smaller in diameter than the wheel 2 in order that the operators fingers may grasp the saine while the steering- Wheel is engaged and steadied bythe palms of the hands. The controlling-wheel 5 is free to turn on the steering-rod 3, and hence when the two wheels are held with both hands they turn together freely and the controlling-wheel does not interfere at all with the proper operation of the steering-wheel.

In order to start the Vehicle or to increase the speed thereof, the wheel 5 in the present construction is raised, as may be necessary, it being preferable to raise the same step by step in order that the iiow of the motive iiuid may be gradually increased and unnecessary strains in starting or in increasing speed avoided. It will be noticed that when the steering and controlling wheels are associated in this manner the upper or steering wheel may be held firmly in any desired position while the lower wheel is being gradually elevated by the lingers of both hands.

In order to transmit the throttle-openingcontrolling movement of the Wheel 5 lengthwise of the steering-axis to the power-controlling or throttle device, I prefer to make use of connections substantially such as are shown in the drawings. The hub 6 of the controlling-wheel 5 in this case has a peripheral groove 7 for the reception of a collar 8, in which said wheel is free to turn, and this collar has a connecting-rod 9 secured to one side thereof, preferably by an adjustable connection 10. At a point below the collar 8 a fixed guide-collar 11 may be secured to the steeringpost 4, the connectingrod 9 passing through one side of this guide-collar, which serves to prevent turning of said rod. At its lower end the connecting-rod 9 is pivoted to the rear end of a rock-arm 13, secured to a rock-shaft 14, mounted in suitable bearings at opposite sides of the vehicle, this rockshaft 14 having a second rock-arm 15, which at its free end is connected by a rod 16 directly to a throttle device or other power-controlling member. The location of this Vthrottle device is indicated at 17, and the source of Huid-supply or steam-boiler and a pipe through which the steam .or fluid flows are designated, respectively, by 18 and 19.

At some suitable point between the steering-wheel and the throttle device I prefer to locate a step-bylstep device for opening the throttle gradually and locking it and the controlling-wheel in successive positions. This step by-step device is shown herein as a toothed segment or rack 20, secured t0 the rock-shaft 14, and a spring-pressed pawl, such as indicated at 21, is pivoted on asupport 2l in a position to cooperate with the teeth of said rack. It will be evident that as the wheel 5 is raised the toothed segment 2O will be turned step by step and that at each movement thereof the locking-pawl 2l will engage it, so as to prevent return movement thereof. This pawl constitutes therefore a means for locking the throttle in any open position and may be instantly released to permit the throttle to close, this closing movement being effected partly by the weight of the gravitative wheel 5 and its connected parts and partly by one or more springs, such as 22 and 23, secured, respectively, to the rock-arm 13 and to thevtoothed segment 20.

The rear end of the pawl 21 may be operated directly to release the toothed segment 20 and permit the throttle to be closed quickly by the means just described and by the pressure of the iiuid or steam against the inner side of the throttle valve, normally tending to close said valve; but I prefer to release said pawl by a brake-pedal, such as 25, loosely mounted on a rock-shaft 26 and connected at its forward end to a brake-rod 27 and lying at its rear end immediately above the rear IOO IIO

end of said pawl. These parts are so organized and their movements so proportioned as to cause the brake-pedal 25 when depressed to release the pawl 2l from the toothed segment 2O to permit the throttle to close before the brake is applied, the application of the brake being effected by the depression of t-he brake-pedal to a lower point than that at which it releases the pawl 21. A suitable reversing-pedal, such as 30, is also secured to the rock-shaft 26 and controls the operation of a rock-arm 3l and a connecting-rod 32, leading to a reversing mechanism. (Not shown.) With the exception of the pedals all of the operating devices near the lower end of the steering-post are beneath the iioor of the vehicle and are therefore out of sight and out of the way.

From the foregoing description of my irnproved controlling device it will be seen that the operator always has both the steering and the controlling wheel either in his hands or in position to be instantly operated either together or separately without having to change his position or divide his attention between two different points, as is ordinarily the case, that the throttle device may be opened gradually and locked in successive open positions without releasing the steeringwheel, and that the throttle device or valve may be instantly closed by the slightest pressure on the brake-pedal without applying the brake, the various functions of steering, controlling, locking the throttle open, releasing the throttle to permit it to close, and applying the brake being all performed from two points without any unnecessary movement or exertion.

What I claim isl. In acontrolling device of the class specied, the combination with a rotatable steering member, of a rotatable controlling member associated with said steering member and being movable in a direction longitudinally of the steering-axis, the said steering and controlling members being so associated as to be capable of either combined or independent movement.

2. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a rotatable steering member, of a controlling member associated with said steering member and mounted to turn about, and also movable in a direction longitudinally of, the steering-axis, the said steering and controlling members being so associated as to be capable of either combined or independent movement.

3. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of a controlling member mounted to turn with and about said rod and also being movable longitudinally thereof, the said steering-rod and controlling member being so associated as to be capable of either combined or independent movement. Y

4. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of

a steering member, a controlling member associated with said steering member and mounted to turn about and also movable longitudinally of the steering axis, the said steering and controlling members being so associated as to be capable of either combined or independent movement, and a throttle device governed by the said controlling member.

5. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of a steering member, a controlling member associated with said steering member and mounted to turn about the steering-axis and also having a reciprocatory controlling movement lengthwise of said axis, a connecting-1 rod reciprocatory with said controlling member, and a throttle device governed by said connecting-rod.

6. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of a steering member, a controlling member associated with said steering member and movable therewith, a throttle device, a step-bystep device governed by said controlling member and controlling said throttle device, and a locking device for said step-by-s'tep device.

7. In a controlling device of the class specitied, the combination with a steering-rod, of a steering member, a controlling member associated with said steering member and movable therewith, a throttle device, a step-bystep device governed by said controlling member and controlling said throttle device, a locking device for said step-by-step device, and means for releasing said locking device.

8. In a controlling device of the class speci- `ed, the combination with a steering-rod, of

a steering member, a controlling member mounted to turn on said steering-rod and movable therealong, a throttle device, anda connecting-rod reciprocatory with said controlling member and connected to said throttle device.

9. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of a steering member, a controlling member mounted to turn on said steering-rod and movable therealong, a collar reciprocatory with said controlling member and held against rotation therewith, a throttle device, and a connecting-rod secured to said collar and to said throttle device.

10. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of a steering member, a controlling member dis'- posed below the steering member and mounted to turn about the steering-axis and also movable longitudinally of said axis toward` and from the steering-wheel to open and close the throttle, and a throttle device governed by said controlling member.

Il. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering-rod, of`

a steering member, a gravitative controlling member disposed below the steering member and mounted to turn about the steering-axis and also movable longitudinally of said axis IOO IIO

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toward and from the steering member to open and close the throttle, and a throttle device governed by said controlling member.

12. In a controllingdevice of the class specified, the combination with a steering member, of a controlling member associated with said steering member and movable therewith, a throttle device governed by said controlling member, means for locking said throttle device in an open position, and a releasing device for said locking means.

13. In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering member, of a controlling member associated with said steering member and movable therewith, a throttle device governed by said controlling member, means for locking said throttle device in an open position, and a pedal-operated releasing device for said locking means.

14. A In a controlling device of the class specified, the combination with a steering member, of a controlling member associated with said steering member and movable therewith, a throttle device governed by said controlling member, means for locking said throttle device in an open position, and a combined throttle-closing and brake-operating device for first' releasing said locking means and then applying a brake.

15. In a controlling device of the class speci- 9 ed, the combination with a throttle-openingcontrolling device, of a throttle device, means for locking said throttle device in an open position, and a combined throttle-closing and brake-operatin g device for first releasing said locking means and then appl-ying a brake.

16. In a con trolling device of the class specied, the combination with a throttle-openingcontrolling member, of a throttle device, a paWl and rack operated by said controlling member and controlling the opening of the throttle, and a combined throttle-closing and brake-operating device for releasing said pawl to permit the throttle to close and for afterward applying a brake.

Signed at Orange, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, this 4th day of February, A. D. 1903.

` CHARLES B. GROUT.

Vitnesses:

W. H. MoULToN, A. M. ANDREWS. 

